AllThingsD is reporting recent comments made by T-Mobile CEO Philipp Humm, on things ranging from LTE networks as to why they are the only major carrier not carrying the iPhone.
Humm acknowledged that the lack of a TMo iPhone has to do with their use of the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum band for its 3G network; something that the iPhone to-date, has not supported:
“The key reason we didn’t have the iPhone in the past is we are on different band than globally the market was,” Humm said. “That is something which will change over time. Chipsets are also evolving to be able to allow for more bands.”CNET also reports a bit more on the topic from T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer, Neville Ray, who speculates that Apple's plan for the iPhone 5 may include AWS supported chipsets:
"Ray, however, said T-Mobile's unique spectrum would have required extra work to ensure the iPhone ran correctly on its network. But the next chipset that Apple plans to use will be able to overcome that hurdle, he said.Regardless if Ray turns out to be right, rumors have been circulating the the next version of the iPhone will support LTE networks, which T-Mobile sadly still lacks in favor for HSPA+. Ray did say, however, that it isn't impossible to deploy LTE in some markets, repurposing spectrum reserved for GSM and move it to its current HSPA+ network which would free up space on AWS for LTE.
"The next chipset will support AWS," he said in an interview with CNET. "The challenge that existed in the past will go away."
Whatever the case, Ray said the company will continue the process of improving its network, especially after last month's collapse of an AT&T/T-Mobile merger. The company is expected to unveil its turnaround plans late in the first quarter.
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